Over the past 25 years I have heard many people, dentists, politicians and civil servants give talks about the state of NHS dentistry and have drafted one or two of the speeches myself.

They have dealt with policy, with current problems in the service, but never before, I believe, with strategy, where NHS dentistry is going.

In her speech the CDO sought to define strategy as a ‘term often used incorrectly to describe policy, but actually the necessary pre-requisite to any policy; a synthesis of all the ideas, interests and ideologies at our disposal; the “art of the possible” if you will.’

Strategy is about achieving outcomes, better oral health and reaching those people who are most in need of services, the young, the old and the vulnerable.

Critical reform

The CDO said that contract reform is ‘critical…if we are to make the transition from dental activity to oral health as the desired outcome of the NHS dental service’.

The contract should be a means by which better oral health is achieved, not an end in itself.

There is more to NHS dentistry than achieving a UDA target, although at this time of year, the contracted number of UDAs is probably uppermost in the minds of dentists and commissioners.

A new strategic approach is needed and, judging by her speech, Sara Hurley is determined to provide it.

One comment

I couldn’t agree more about needing an ‘all new’ Strategic Approach – however nhs dental contract reform whilst loooong overdue, is but one small part of the overall Strategic solution = a 3-point plan as follows:

1. A national Media campaign to improve public knowledge and empowerment, rather than almost total ignorance as we’ve had for over a decade

2. The food industry addressed assertively and punitively if necessary, to dramatically reduce it’s obcession with adding excess sugars in almost all foods and drinks, simply to earn excessive profits at the expense of the nation’s well being!

3. A dental contract based upon Protected-Time and Prevention, not voluminous UDAs and no time to help those who will eventually come through the doors in the next 5 years.

1+2+3 will synergise and have many ‘local’ spin-offs too, even a much smaller scheme like ChildSmile in Scotland cost £1.6million initially but now saves the nhs over £4million net EVERY year and has reduced childrens hospital admissions too !!!

No.1 could start within the month, No.2 could be a 3-4months initiative and No.3 could be the end of the year.

Yes ALL possible, the ‘art of the possible’ if you like, if public pressure can get the Politicians to authorise and synergise from the Top-down.

Sadly all we have now is Spin and Prevention of prevention upon the Political alter of volume-Targets

This isn’t Sara Hurley’s fault, she has inherited a growing mess from the last lot but can’t say that publicly of course.

But what she CAN do is say, you know what, as annoying as it is, we can start by admitting the nhs dental system in England is limited, we are doing our best within those limitations, but THE way forward Strategically is 1+2+3 Prevention above and that’s something the Media, DH, NHS England and the dental profession can ALL support whole-heartedly!

What are we waiting for – another 8000+ children have been admitted to hospital since 4th January Telegraph letter signed by 400+ dental professionals raising concerns – isn’t it time to act urgently now?

Michael Watson qualified 50 years ago and started his career in the Royal Army Dental Corps. Retiring in 1979 he set up a general dental practice in Manningtree. In the 80s he became secretary of the GDPA and was the first editor of its journal the General Dental Practitioner. Moving to the BDA in 1991 he spent the rest if his career as a political adviser and editing BDA news. Since retiring he has continued writing and is a regular contributor to dentistry.co.uk and Dentistry magazine along with being the news correspondent for both. Michael now spends more time at a time-share on Gran Canaria and reducing the kid’s inheritance on cruise ships.